Nathan "Nat" Hay, owner of the now defunct Bandera Computers once located in the City of Bandera, has been charged with a third felony - endangerment of a child, according to City Marshal James "Charlie" Hicks.
Hay was arrested on April 2 and was released from the county jail the next day on a $30,000 bond. Last month, he was arrested and charged with two other felonies - manufacture and delivery of over 400 grams of a PG 1 controlled substance, as well as felony possession of chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine. Hay's bonds for those charges totaled $50,000.
According to law enforcement reports, at approximately 3:30 am, on March 24, Deputy Marshal Earl Heidelberg stopped a motorist on Highway 173 South for reckless driving. The female juvenile at the wheel of the Suburban was the 14-year-old stepdaughter of Hay, who was found unconscious in the backseat of the vehicle. Also, a syringe filled with fluid was in view on the backseat next to a center console. Additionally, reports indicated that the teenager seemed to be under the influence at the time of the traffic stop.
A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up the makings of what appeared to be mobile meth lab, including a hot plate; a blue bag filled with a clear, crystal-like substance; four glass jars; a substance that resembled marijuana; stove fuel and tubing; and precursors to methamphetamine production such as iodine and ephedrine, as well as a respirator.
The female juvenile was released into the custody of her mother. The next day, Hicks contacted personnel with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services about the incident. "I haven't heard anything regarding the CPS investigation and don't expect to," he said in an interview on Monday, April 14. "So I filed separate felony child endangerment charges on Mr. Hay."
The Courier has contacted CPS seeking information as to why the 14 year old is apparently still living with Hay, but doesn't expect an answer by press time - if at all.
According to Hicks, Hays' case will likely be brought before the next Bandera County Grand Jury, set for Tuesday, May 13.